Honda Civic Sport

The Sport has plenty of personality, writes BRUCE NEWTON.

Honda Civic Sport

08 August 2006Bruce Newton

Civic’s flagship is bigger but still zippy

Despite the current hot-hatch frenzy, not everybody wants a small car that's hard-edged and aggressive. That doesn't mean they want a cardboard box on wheels, either. Step forward the Honda Civic Sport.

The mainstream flagship of the eighth-generation of Civic (remembering there is also a petrol-electric hybrid) combines usability with an enjoyable character.

A new platform, larger body, improved dynamics and a zesty but flexible engine are keys to that.

A $29,990 starting price, adequate standard equipment list and a unique look also ensure it stands out from the small-car crowd.

Saying it stands out is an understatement. The Civic's sloping nose, reclined A-pillar, upright C-pillar, short rear deck and long wheelbase give it an unusual cab-forward look that's embellished by the double-edged sword grille and massive headlights.

It is perhaps the most distinctive Civic since the nameplate first appeared here as a fun hatch in 1973. The difference now is we are talking only about a sedan.

For the first time we don't get a hatchback, because it's only built in Europe and too expensive for Australia, Honda believes. The sedan comes from Thailand, as do the Jazz and Accord.

The production source plays a big role in the Sport's good value. Front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, a sunroof, leather trim, climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels and six-CD audio are standard. A five-speed auto is a $2000 option.

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Omissions? It should have a trip computer, and some would also push for stability control.

However, the Sport's ride and handling still inspire confidence. The footprint, courtesy of a longer wheelbase and wider tracks, is now much larger. Combine that with improved MacPherson strut suspension up-front and independent double wishbones at the rear and the result is an entertaining combination of nimbleness and stability.

Ride quality on 16-inch 205/55 Bridgestone rubber is still good. Only the worst of Australian roads challenge its poise. Tyre noise only becomes a problem on coarse-chip surfaces.

The letdown is the electric steering rack. This feel-free system eliminates the traditional front-wheel drive negatives such as kickback and rack rattle, but also kills off almost all feel.

The engine - as is so often the case with Hondas - is the star performer. The all-aluminium 2.0-litre, four-cylinder twin-cam engine is quite simply a gem. Exclusive to the Sport in the Civic range, it produces 114 kW at 6200 rpm and 188 Nm at 4200 rpm - the latter figure a best ever for Civic.

It delivers impressively usable performance from well down into the midrange but is also happy to rev without harshness up towards 7000 rpm, producing a slightly manic and totally addictive induction and exhaust note in the process.

The engine manages to produce excellent fuel economy - officially claimed at 7.3 L/100 km with the standard five-speed manual gearbox (7.5 auto) on regular unleaded. That's 0.6 L/100 km worse off than the old 1.7-litre Civic. But it's not a bad effort considering the new car is 220 kg heavier and there's no overdrive sixth gear in the otherwise impressive manual transmission.

Just to cap off the stats, this new engine is also a 4.5 star (out of 5) emissions performer, meeting both low emissions vehicle and Euro 4 standards.

The key to this all-round ability is Honda's i-VTEC cylinder head technology, which varies both valve timing and camshaft phasing to increase all the good things the engine produces, while decreasing the bad.

Honda's willingness to think beyond the orthodox is obvious inside the cabin. A two-tiered instrument pod places a digital speedo, temperature gauge and fuel gauge in the upper opening closest to the driver's normal eyeline. Below it, in another opening, is a traditional analog tacho and various warning lights.

Both displays sit behind a manual reach and rake adjustable steering wheel. A rough finish to the underside of the bottom spoke is a minor but annoying quality glitch.

The visual challenges continue as the dash sweeps around from the instrument pod into a centre stack and transmission lever that protrudes at an angle from the console. It's a great location, the lever falling easily to hand. Unfortunately the handbrake lever sitting next to it tends to bang into your left knee, particularly when cornering.

Rear seat passengers also have their issues. Adults will find leg room adequate, but the Sport's sunroof means that headroom is tight.

No concerns about flexibility and storage spaces. The bench split-folds down via levers in the boot to boost luggage capacity from 376 litres to 485 litres.

Extrovert in its look and energetic in its attitude, it is also excellent day-to-day transport.